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Bihar CMs son-in-law resigns as his PA following controversy

by IBNS 06 Nov 2014, 11:02 am

Patna, Nov 6 (IBNS): Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhis son-in-law resigned as his personal assistant (PA). He stepped down following a major political controversy over him occupying the post, media reports said.

Devendra Manjhi is married to the CM’s eldest daughter from his second marriage.

Devendra Manjhi told NDTV: “It was turned into such a big issue that I had no option but to resign... I quit keeping in mind the prestige of the chief minister.”

Devendra’s appointment was made in June this year but it was discovered only recently by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently.

Senior BJP leader in Bihar Sushil Modi pointed it out on Wednesday. He mentioned a Bihar government circular from May 2000 that clearly stated a person holding public office cannot appoint a relative as a PA or any other member of his staff.

Jitan Ram Manjhi, 72, became the Bihar CM after Nitish Kumar stepped down in May this year due to his party Janata Dal-United (JD-U)’s poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections.